In a major step toward boosting marine tourism and enhancing the experience of international visitors, the Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), an arm of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has introduced a new service for licensing Pleasure Marine Vessels for foreign visitors.

This newly launched initiative allows holders of maritime licenses from countries affiliated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)—including the GCC nations, the US, Europe, and other globally recognised authorities, to apply for a Dubai-issued license to operate recreational boats within the emirate, a Dubai Media Office report said.

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New manual to standardise crew licensing

Coinciding with the licensing service, the DMA has released a revised and comprehensive manual regulating the licensing of marine vessel crew members in Dubai. Issued under Administrative Resolution No. (5) of 2024, the manual outlines eligibility criteria, including professional qualifications, medical and technical standards, and required practical experience.

It also clearly explains the application, examination, and renewal procedures, streamlined through DMA’s digital platforms. Notably, the manual includes guidelines for the mutual recognition of international licenses, allowing for simplified conversion for those meeting specific criteria.

“We believe in providing a flexible maritime environment that caters to international aspirations,” said Sheikh Dr Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority. “Our goal is to offer exceptional marine experiences while maintaining high safety and operational standards aligned with international best practices.”

Electronic licensing now a few clicks away

Through this initiative, qualified international boaters can secure a local marine vessel license by submitting their existing national license through a digital verification process. The procedure involves authentication of the license, confirmation of its compliance with DMA standards, and, if eligible, issuance of a Dubai-specific permit.

The authority reiterated that it recognises licenses issued by IMO member countries, provided they meet the Authority’s operational and safety benchmarks. This move significantly reduces bureaucratic hurdles for tourists and boat enthusiasts looking to explore Dubai’s waters.

“This initiative enhances the maritime experience for Dubai’s visitors, enabling them to engage in leisure, tourism, and marine sports within a safe and well-regulated environment,” added Sheikh Saeed. “It reinforces Dubai’s status as a premier global maritime destination, one that blends innovation, accessibility, and sustainability.”

With the emirate continuously investing in marine infrastructure and visitor services, this new licensing service is expected to boost tourism, encourage international participation, and contribute to the sustainable growth of Dubai’s maritime sector.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Keolis-MHI, has successfully completed a sweeping upgrade of wayfinding signage across all Dubai Metro stations. The move aims to enhance the commuting experience, boost user satisfaction, and streamline daily travel across the Red and Green lines of the Metro, as well as the Dubai Tram.

Read more-Dubai’s smart commute: How RTA’s AI is changing the city’s roads

The ambitious initiative saw the installation and replacement of around 9,000 signs, requiring approximately 11,000 work hours. From entry and exit points to platforms and concourses, signs were modernized to offer clearer directions and improve passenger flow.

Exit signage now features bright yellow boxes to maximise visibility, while floor stickers and directional signs better guide riders to their destinations, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Behavioural nudges and cabin comfort

Beyond navigation, the project focused on passenger etiquette and comfort. New behavioural messages have been placed throughout stations and waiting areas, gently reminding commuters to observe proper public transport etiquette. These visuals aim to create a more pleasant and respectful commuting environment.

To deter unauthorised use of designated cabins, new pink and gold signs now clearly mark the Women and Children Cabin and the Gold Class Cabin, replacing older floor markings. These updates were made to improve visibility and ensure the comfort of priority passengers.

Smart integration across all channels

Hassan Al Mutawa, Director of Rail Operations at RTA’s Rail Agency, emphasized the project’s role in RTA’s broader strategy to elevate public transport standards in Dubai. “This comprehensive plan is designed to make commuting more seamless and intuitive,” he said.

To maintain consistency, the updates go beyond physical signage. Changes have also been reflected in RTA’s digital ecosystem, including mobile apps, onboard train announcements, platform announcements, and social media, ensuring passengers receive uniform guidance across all touch points.

With these updates, Dubai’s Metro system continues to solidify its reputation as one of the world’s most efficient, user-friendly transit networks.

Geespace, the aerospace arm of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has launched 11 satellites into low Earth orbit, expanding its ‘Future Mobility Constellation’ to 41 operational satellites.

The satellites, launched on August 9, form the fourth orbital plane of the network, known as GEESATCOM, which is designed to provide high-precision positioning, data links and communications to support autonomous driving and connected vehicle services.

Geely plans to complete the first phase of the constellation by the end of 2025, with 72 satellites in orbit, enabling real-time global coverage.

The company said the network will underpin technologies such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, urban air mobility and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Geespace launch follows deployments in 2022 and 2024

The latest launch follows earlier deployments in 2022 and 2024. Geespace sent nine GeeSAT-1 satellites into orbit in June 2022, 11 satellites in February 2024 and another 10 in September 2024.

By late 2024, the constellation provided continuous coverage for about 90 per cent of the globe, according to the company.

Geely said the constellation is aimed at delivering centimetre-level GPS accuracy, more reliable fleet tracking, over-the-air updates and uninterrupted connectivity for vehicles, including in remote areas without cellular coverage.

The project is part of Geely’s broader “Smart Geely 2025” strategy.

The company raised its research and development investment by nearly 18 per cent in H1 2024 to CNY7bn ($963m), with funds directed towards electrification and intelligent vehicle platforms.

Geely, which is an official partner of the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, plans to use the satellite network to manage event fleets, showcasing its transport management capabilities at scale.

Amanat Holdings, the UAE-listed healthcare and education investment firm, has completed the sale of its education real estate asset for Dhs453m ($123m).

The transaction delivers an unlevered cash-on-cash multiple of 1.7x and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 10 per cent, generating a net cash return of Dhs294m ($80m). The exit underscores the company’s strategy of disciplined investment, portfolio growth, and value-led monetization.

The divested asset comprises the real estate of North London Collegiate School, which Amanat acquired in June 2018 for Dhs360m ($98m), with an additional Dhs33m ($9m) invested in capital expansion, bringing total investment to Dhs393m ($107m).

Amanat’s chairman, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, said: “The sale of our non-core education real estate asset at a compelling valuation is a testament to Amanat’s ability to identify, grow, and strategically exit our high-quality investments. This transaction broadens our strategic options and reflects our continued focus on unlocking value and generating superior returns for shareholders. Moving forward, we remain committed to growing our market-leading Education and Healthcare businesses whilst at the same time delivering on monetization opportunities that generate further shareholder value.”

Read: UAE-based Amanat Holdings acquires majority stake in Sukoon via merger with CMRC

John Ireland, chief executive officer, added: “We are pleased to have completed the sale of our education real estate investment at a premium to our original investment, delivering a compelling financial return. It demonstrates the strength of Amanat’s investment model – from disciplined entry and portfolio development to value-led monetization. The Dhs453m in proceeds from this transaction enhances our balance sheet and provides flexibility to return value to shareholders and deploy capital into new opportunities that are aligned with our strategic priorities. We remain focused on scaling our high-performing assets and continuing to deliver strong and sustainable shareholder value.”

The exit highlights Amanat’s “identify, grow, monetise” approach, with proceeds earmarked for reinvestment into attractive opportunities in its core education and healthcare portfolio.

A recent survey by SevenRooms (April 2025) revealed that 87 per cent of UAE restaurant owners are already leveraging AI, with data analytics ranking among the top five areas of global adoption. This trend is reshaping the F&B industry, where operators are increasingly relying on technology to stay competitive.

Foodics, the MENA region’s leading restaurant operations and payments technology company, is capitalising on this momentum with Foodics BI, its advanced AI-powered business intelligence solution. Seamlessly integrated into the wider Foodics ecosystem, the platform enables restaurants to transform real-time business data into strategic actions, improving efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth.

“In a market where competition is stronger than ever, Foodics BI gives restaurateurs that extra edge. By turning real-time, complex data into clear and actionable insights, we’re helping restaurateurs make smarter and more informed decisions, respond to challenges faster and tackle them strategically and unlock new business growth opportunities. With AI-driven intelligence in their hands, Foodics BI is a powerful tool for efficiency, growth and long-term success,” said Belal Zahran, Foodics International managing director (Egypt and UAE).

Read: Middle East businesses embrace AI-powered analytics to drive smarter decisions

Designed for executives, owners, and managers, Foodics BI offers a high-level view of business performance for strategic decision-making. Its capabilities include:

• Advanced Data Exploration: Drill-down analysis to uncover the most relevant insights.

• Intelligent Insights Suite: AI-powered forecasting and inventory optimisation to minimise waste.

• Live Monitoring Hub: Real-time updates on sales, key metrics, and operational performance.

• Performance Benchmarking Toolkit: Historical and comparative analytics across branches, products, and categories.

• Simplified Reporting & Visualisation: Automated reporting and dynamic data presentation.

• Integrated Data Accessibility: Full cross-platform access with flexible export options.

Foodics reports that one client in Saudi Arabia recorded a 10x increase in insight generation after adopting Foodics BI, leading the restaurant chain to replace all internal reporting systems with the platform to enhance accuracy and decision-making speed.

With AI-enabled insights driving up to a 10 per cent boost in sales and 20 per cent improvement in profit margins, Foodics BI is positioning itself as a cornerstone technology for the next phase of restaurant growth in the UAE and beyond. Available as both a mobile app and a web platform, it empowers F&B operators to access critical intelligence anytime, anywhere.